"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,Who's sin is covered!" --Psalm 32:1

Today is a day of ashes, a day to remember that we were dust and to dust we shall return. In that, we reflect upon the ultimate ends of our nature, the temporal nature of our desires. How sin so easily entangles.

But we, the celebrants of Ash Wednesday, also find joy in the beginning of Christ's mission. We reflect on his march to the cross, his death, burial, and resurrection. In this process, he made us heirs, gave us platinum souls, wove eternal cashmere coverings for our naked shame. So as we struggle to put aside the lusts of the flesh, to embrace the different nature we have been given, we revel:

"O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord,Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms."--Psalm 95:1-2

----------
These reflections come from the daily Psalm readings for Lent. See Psalms 95, 32, and 143.